In addition to weddings, funerals are also a more common point at which the practices of non-Christian religions and cultures intersect with Church practice:

58. Among all peoples, funerals are always surrounded with special rites, often of great expressive value. To answer to the needs of different countries, the Roman Ritual offers several forms of funerals. (OCF 4) Episcopal conferences must choose those which correspond best to local customs. (OCF 9 and 21.1-21.3) They will wish to preserve all that is good in family traditions and local customs, and ensure that funeral rites manifest the Christian faith in the resurrection and bear witness to the true values of the Gospel. (OCF 2) It is in this perspective that funeral rituals can incorporate the customs of different cultures and respond as best they can to the needs and traditions of each region. (SC 81)

Commentary:

As we saw in our recent review of the funeral rites (note the page on the rites, above) the OCF is eminently flexible and pastoral in its approach. Wise and thoughtful bishops and ministers will utilize it to its full potential.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.